16/03/2016  Happy Valley  Race 6

On arrival at the Start, VICTORY BOYS, which kicked a rail when leaving the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. FIGHTING BOY was slow to begin. RISING POWER began only fairly. YEUNG SING shifted out at the start and bumped MAGICAL BEAUTY. A short distance after the start, MAGICAL BEAUTY was checked when crowded for room between YEUNG SING which continued to shift out and MAGIC STAR which shifted in. From wide barriers, GRIFFINDOR and VICTORY BOYS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, MAGICAL BEAUTY raced in restricted room inside YEUNG SING which raced tight inside NATURAL FRIENDSHIP. PROMPT EXPRESS lost its right hind plate near the 900 Metres. Near the 850 Metres, SUPER SWEET ORANGE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GLORY STAR. NATURAL FRIENDSHIP travelled wide and without cover until after the 800 Metres. Approaching the 600 Metres, GLORY STAR, which was commencing to give ground, was momentarily crowded for room between SUPER SWEET ORANGE which was improving to the outside of GLORY STAR and ROBUST MOMENTUM (C Y Ho) which attempted to shift out from behind MAGIC STAR. C Y Ho was advised to exercise more care. YEUNG SING, which was following GLORY STAR, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse which continued to give ground. Approaching and passing the 400 Metres, RISING POWER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GLORY STAR. Close to the finishing line, VICTORY BOYS, which was finishing off the race strongly, was steadied when unable to continue improving between PROMPT EXPRESS and SUPER SWEET ORANGE which shifted in. Consequently VICTORY BOYS was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. The performance of NATURAL FRIENDSHIP, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NATURAL FRIENDSHIP will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, K Teetan stated that stepping up in distance to 1650 Metres tonight, PROMPT EXPRESS, when racing in the lead, commenced to prove very difficult to settle near the 1200 Metres and continued to travel keenly despite his efforts to steady the horse in the lead. He said at its last start when successful over 1400 Metres, PROMPT EXPRESS was able to settle better in the lead, however, the horse would not relax tonight and consequently was not able to finish off the race. Z Purton stated that MAGIC STAR, which was stepping up in distance, travelled keenly throughout the race and as a consequence was then not able to finish off the race. Trainer P O' Sullivan informed the Stewards that it was his intention now to drop the horse back in distance at its next race start if the programme permits. A veterinary inspection of MAGIC STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GLORY STAR and NATURAL FRIENDSHIP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAGICAL BEAUTY and ROBUST MOMENTUM were sent for sampling. <17/3/2016 Additional Veterinary Report>NATURAL FRIENDSHIP, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. NATURAL FRIENDSHIP was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer W Y So this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. As previously advised, NATURAL FRIENDSHIP will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.